Jesuit At St. Thomas Aquinas Preview

     The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders host the Jesuit Tigers in a FHSAA Class 3M state semifinal game at Brian Piccolo Stadium on Friday night in Fort Lauderdale. The winner will face either Homestead or Jones for the Class 3M state championship at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale two weeks from now. 

     Jesuit(9-4) is the last team to defeat the Raiders as they beat STA 24-21 in Week 2 last year. They shut out St. Petersburg 51-0 in the regional quarterfinal, knocked off Gaither 45-10 in the regional semifinal and blanked Largo 31-0 in the regional final. The Tigers have outscored their opponents 403-189 this year. 

     They will rely their offense on quarterback Will Griffin. Running back Joquez Smith will get the majority of carries along with Ian Wilson and Justin Thurman. Griffin will attempt to throw the ball to wide receivers Jarriett Buie, Bryson Goodwin, Gary Givens and Willie Suarez. 

     St. Thomas Aquinas(12-0) currently has a 25-game winning streak and they have appeared in the state semifinal round for nine straight years. The Raiders have not lost a home playoff game since 2003. They have outscored their opponents 502-118 this season. STA bashed Coconut Creek 59-14 in a regional quarterfinal, pounded Atlantic 63-14 in a regional semifinal and handled Blanche Ely 35-7 in a regional final. 

     Raiders quarterback Hezekiah Harris will guide the team down the field. Running backs Jordan Lyle, Jordan Clemons and Gemari Sands are expected to get their share of rushing attempts. Wide receivers Chance Robinson, Isaiah Hardge, Jaylen Bonelli and Ethan Shawn can make pass receptions from Harris.